Self-effacing Qera credits team mates for award nomination

In typical fashion, Akapusi Qera's initial reaction to being shortlisted for Aviva Premiership Player of the Season, was to pay tribute to almost everyone at the club for helping him to gain such recognition.

The 28 year old Fijian international has, once again, been another standout for the Cherry and Whites during 2012-13.

A force with ball in hand, powerful in the tackle and no stranger to scoring tries, his talents have once again caught the eye of rugby observers everywhere.

Shortlisted alongside Steve Borthwick (Saracens), Danny Care (Harlequins), Julian Salvi (Leicester Tigers), Christian Wade (London Wasps) and Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Gloucester followers will be hoping he goes one better than 2007-8, when he finished as a runner up to team-mate James Simpson-Daniel.

To be nominated twice is quite some achievement, but Qera reacted in typically modest fashion this week:

"It's good to get a reward after a hard day's work, and I've known that and for the club, I think we've done well this year, we've done hard work behind the scenes.

"And for me to get the recognition - it's on behalf of the boys, and it's an honour. If I get it, then I get it for the boys.

"And I just want to point out that it's not an individual thing, it's teamwork that has put me where I am right now.

"So, I thank the boys and thank the coaches, and especially thank God for that."

He's now been at Gloucester for six seasons, and a first team regular apart from 2008-9 when he was recovering from a serious knee injury.

Now one of the senior players in the squad, but insists he's feeling as fresh as ever and really enjoying his rugby.

"Even though I got my injury in 2008 I feel much stronger and much fitter.

"And to come back and to get this nomination, it's like a whole new start for me. I feel fresh again, and hopefully it goes on for next season.

"We always set a mark every day we come in for training and every game we play. And we always set a benchmark we don't go underneath, and we just want to go higher, higher and higher.

"That's what's been pushing us this year, just to go higher and higher, even though we've got some young players in the squad we still push each other.

"And for the senior players to push the young players, for us to look back and we see the season nearly at an end, we can see all the hard work from the management, the staff in the office, it all comes together.

Speaking to GRTV in front of the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, Henry Trinder explained how important the West Country Challenge Cup is going to be for the Cherry and Whites in their preseason preparations.

Speaking to GRTV at preseason training this Tuesday, new signing Willi Heinz gave an update on his recovery from a leg injury and expressed his enjoyment since his arrival in new surroundings with Gloucester Rugby.

Speaking to GRTV after the 22-23 defeat against Bordeaux-Begles which denied Gloucester a place in next season's European Rugby Champions Cup, Nick Wood rued the momentary lapse in concentration which allowed the French side to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

As Gloucester prepare for their 39th game of the season, against Bordeaux-Begles at Sixways on Sunday, David Humphreys told the local media that this week has been all about getting the players mentally and physically ready after a tough game against Connacht last Sunday.

Gloucester Rugby and Scotland scrum half Greig Laidlaw is gearing up for Rugby World Cup with his international teammates, and speaking to the assembled media this week, Laidlaw is excited to be in familiar surroundings at the showcase tournament.

With 50 days to go until Rugby World Cup 2015 gets underway several of the nations that are set to take to the Kingsholm Stadium field during the pool stages were in action in Toronto in Round Three of the Pacific Nations Cup.